Supporters say checking database could cut painkiller deaths

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The California State Senate approved legislation Thursday that would require doctors to check the state’s narcotics database before they prescribe controlled substances for new patients.

Senate Bill 482, authored by State Senator Ricardo Lara, of Bell Gardens, would also require doctors to annually check the database, called CURES, if the course of narcotic treatment continues for the patient.

CURES is the California’s Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System. In the proposed bill, doctors who don’t check the database would be disciplined.

In a bipartisan vote, 28 California State Senators supported the bill while 11 opposed. The bill now goes to the state Assembly.

Supporters of the controversial measure include two San Diegans who were featured in an NBC 7 Investigates story about prescription drug overdoses. They testified in April at the state Capitol on behalf of the legislation and were joined at that hearing by Clark Smith, M.D., a San Diego psychiatrist and addiction expert who also supports the mandatory use of the CURES database.

More than 1,000 Californians die every year from accidental or purposeful abuse of controlled substances. Those victims include Kristin Greene, a Lakeside resident who killed herself in November, 2013, with a toxic cocktail of painkillers and sedatives.

Documents obtained by NBC 7 Investigates reveal that Kristin had obtained more than 60 prescriptions from nine medical professionals and several pharmacies in the five years before her death.

Kristin’s sister, Lisa Bond, said Kristin might still be alive if doctors were required to check CURES.

“I think if CURES were used on a regular basis, we would see tremendous progress in cutting back prescription drug dependence,” Smith told NBC 7 Investigates.

The California Narcotics Officers’ Association, the California College and University Police Chiefs Association and several consumer groups, including Consumer Watchdog, also support SB 482.

“Prescription drug overdose kills thousands every year, but a simple check of a patient’s medical record can give doctors the information they need to intervene with those who are at risk or may be abusing medications, “ Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, said in a news release.

The CMA says “the premature and overly-broad mandatory check” required by the proposed law would “negatively impact patient care” and “will discourage even appropriate prescribing of controlled substances.”

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